Charles Tillman named NFL Man of the Year

Chicago Bears Charles Tillman speaks after accepting the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award during the NFL Honors award show in New York February 1, 2014. (CARLO ALLEGRI / REUTERS)

NEW YORK — Being a finalist two times in three years only brought more attention to the off-field work of Bears cornerback Charles Tillman, who was announced Saturday night as the winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

Tillman, who was one of three finalists in 2012, was selected over Jay Feely of the Cardinals and Thomas Davis of the Panthers at the NFL Honors at Radio City Music Hall. The award takes into account a player’s community service and on-field accomplishments.

It was an emotional moment for Tillman, who teared up on stage after Commissioner Roger Goodell presented the award.

“This is No. 1,” he said. “I couldn’t even talk. I can talk about going to Super Bowls, and creating turnovers and forcing fumbles, getting picks, getting touchdowns. But I’ve never been so nervous in my life to get on stage and talk in front of so many people with so much passion about what I do and my daughter and my family.”

Tillman is the fifth Bears player to win the award and the first since Jim Flanigan shared the honor with Derrick Brooks in 2000. The award has been around since 1970 and was named posthumously for Payton, the 1977 recipient. The late Dave Duerson was honored in 1987 and Mike Singletary won in 1990. This was the fifth year the Bears nominated Tillman for the award.

Tillman, who turns 33 Feb. 23, will be an unrestricted free agent March 11 but could return for a 12th season with the Bears.

“I don’t know (if I will reach the open market),” Tillman said earlier this week. “You think about it but if it’s meant for me to be back, I’ll be back. If it’s not, we’ll move on. I don’t take it personal because it’s all business.”

Tillman missed the final seven games with a torn triceps and a right knee injury forced him out of one game earlier in the season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl the previous two years and is third in franchise history with 36 interceptions. Tillman’s 42 forced fumbles rank second in the NFL since 2003, when he joined the team as a second-round draft pick.

He has been very active in philanthropic efforts off the field. Tillman created the Cornerstone Foundation in 2005 and has raised more than $1 million to help children in the Chicago area. Tillman’s initial focus was school-related but after his daughter Tiana was diagnosed in 2008 with dilated cardiomyopathy and received a heart transplant, the foundation shifted its goal to helping improve the lives of critically and chronically ill children. Tiana is thriving now as a 5-year-old and a fund named for her has donated more than $1 million to more than 300 families. Tillman has been outspoken about research and technology necessary for children with the same medical diagnosis.

He choked up talking about the families of five children who did not survive.

“I love doing what I do but the saddest part about having my foundation is not everyone makes it,” he said. “Sometimes a kid will pass. It hurts. It really does.”

Tillman long has been an active military supporter and he and his wife Jackie recently helped build a school in Cambodia.

The NFL Foundation donated $25,000 to Tillman’s efforts for winning on top of the $1,000 his foundation received for his being the Bears’ nominee for the award.